Now with the Pacers, former Rocket Luis Scola happy to keep on globe-trotting

Luis Scola, the former Rockets forward in his first season with the Pacers, got a taste of the travel he can expect in his next profession. It was far from the first time and likely won’t be the last.

Scola has said he would like to be an International basketball scout so that he can continue traveling the world, as he has throughout his basketball career in Argentina, Spain and in the NBA, and with the Argentina National team. The trip to Manila reinforced his interest in seeing the world even after he retires.

“I like traveling a lot,” said Scola, who spent much of the summer player for Argentina in Venezuela. “I think it’s fun. You get a chance to see new countries and do what a lot of people pay a lot of money to do and do it for free. We’re actually getting paid for doing this. I think it’s great. It’s one of the best things about basketball. And every time you go to a new place … it’s a fact there is a lot of stuff we didn’t see because we’re flying, we’re playing, we’re practicing, we’re doing media, we’re doing events and a lot of things. There is always a good chance to come back and do all the stuff we couldn’t do because we were playing.

“I enjoy it. I think it’s fun. It’s a little bit inconvenient. You have to fly for a long time. You have to be away from home for a week. But after you recover a little bit from the flight and get accustomed to the time and all that , then you really get a good taste for a different culture, different fans. You get a chance to help the NBA expand its brand and make new fans and meet new people. It’s fun.”

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Isaiah Canaan and Chandler Parsons of the Rockets interact with young basketball fans in the Philippines.

Isaiah Canaan and Chandler Parsons of the Rockets interact with young basketball fans in the Philippines.

Photo: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

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Chandler Parsons of the Rockets interact with young basketball fans in the Philippines.

Chandler Parsons of the Rockets interact with young basketball fans in the Philippines.